- Islamic cleric Dr. Ibrahim Jalingo defends death penalty for whoever changes religion, citing an authentic Hadith and various Qur'anic verses
- Jalingo equates Hadith with the Qur'an, describing both as divine revelations meant to complement each other
- Nigerians slam Jalingo’s position as extremist and unconstitutional, accusing Jalingo of hate speech and misrepresenting Islam
An Islamic cleric and National Chairman of the Council of Ulama, Dr. Ibrahim Jalingo, has stirred controversy after openly endorsing the death penalty for individuals who renounce their faith.
In a statement posted on his official Facebook page on Thursday, April 10, Jalingo defended a Hadith that prescribes the death penalty for apostates, while also accusing critics of Hadith literature of “compound ignorance.”
The cleric’s comments came as a response to growing public discourse questioning the compatibility of certain Hadiths with the Qur’an.
He specifically addressed a Hadith stating: “Whoever changes his religion, kill him,” which he said remains valid and does not contradict Islamic teachings.
Jalingo’s Argument: Hadith as divine revelation
In his post, Jalingo offered a detailed theological rebuttal to those who challenge the Hadith, labeling them as “fabricators” and claiming they are ignorant of Islamic teachings.
He emphasised that the Hadith and the Qur’an are both divine revelations, arguing that Hadith literature serves to elaborate on the Qur’an's teachings.
Quoting several Qur’anic verses, Jalingo supported his stance by citing Surah At-Tawbah (9:5), Surah Al-Baqarah (2:193), and Surah An-Nisa’ (4:89, 4:91), claiming these verses align with the Hadith’s call for execution in cases of apostasy.
He further asserted that the often-quoted verse advocating religious freedom, “There is no compulsion in religion” (Qur’an 2:256), had been abrogated.
Jalingo ended his post with a scathing attack on his critics, describing them with derogatory terms and accusing them of spreading ignorance under the guise of religious scholarship.
Public reactions: Outrage, criticism, calls for sanctions
Dr. Jalingo’s statement has gone viral on social media, drawing widespread backlash from Nigerians, including fellow Muslims and civil society advocates.
@IdrisAOni1 commented, “His position is not new and it has always been contested because it indeed contradicts the Qur'ān... The Prophet never killed anyone for leaving Islam.”
@Mrbhadoosky wrote, “He should start with his extended family. Let’s see if he himself will last one week… People can be knowledgeable and also have mental problems. He should seek medical help.”
@KennyNuga pointed out the legal implications: “Dr. Ibrahim Jalingo’s endorsement… is a clear violation of Section 38 of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion.”
@HOBAONE1 expressed frustration: “How I won tell non-Muslims that this is not Islam? There’s nothing like force in Islam pls.”
@alnur1313 suggested regulation: “Is there no way Nigeria government will make every religious cleric study theology before they’re licensed to preach publicly?”
@Arinzechukwu331 said, “This is hate speech and should be treated as such. He should be in police custody and explain why he is calling for murder.”
@ElpadrinoSnr challenged the cleric’s scriptural backing: “He can't back this up with the Quran. The Prophet never killed anyone for leaving Islam. Only Allah decides life and death.”
@CroBender sarcastically criticised misplaced priorities: “Good thinking from our 'northern brothers' who can't hold poverty creators to account.”
@KanayoUgoh described Jalingo as “another Islamic extremist” and urged the Federal Government to act: “He must be prosecuted. Religious killings must stop.”
@pdauda drew parallels with extremist ideologies: “It’s only fear stopping clowns like this from joining ISWAP or Boko Haram. There’s no difference in ideology.”
NASFAT, Islamic cleric condemn Nigerian pilgrims over misconduct during Hajj
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that following the viral videos circulating on X (formerly Twitter) showing Nigerian pilgrims engaging in disrespectful conduct, including hurling insults at other nationals struggling to touch the Kaaba.
The Nasrul-Lahi-l-Fatih Society of Nigeria (NASFAT) and Dr. Sidiq Uthman, an Islamic cleric, had strongly criticised the behaviour of some Nigerian Muslims performing the lesser hajj in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, condemning their actions as inappropriate and unrepresentative of Islam.